Charlotte’s decision to trade LaMelo Ball shocked many people in the league, especially after the Hornets finished last season playing their best basketball in years.
From January 1 through the end of the regular season, Charlotte went 33-16 while fielding the NBA’s top-ranked offense and fifth-ranked defense.
The Hornets won 44 games, the most in a decade, leaving many fans wondering why the franchise would move away from Ball instead of building around him.
Hornets president of basketball Jeff Peterson explained why the organization believes the time is right to make such a significant move, speaking to ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk.
“These decisions are challenging at times, but if you look at the whole season and everything we’ve been at, it’s important that we look at ourselves in the mirror of where we are as a team,” explained Peterson. “That’s what I had to do at the end of the season, and it seems like the goal is not to compete for a playoff spot. The goal is not to get to the play-ins or even the play-offs for one year.
“I’ve said it many times since I’ve been here in Charlotte: The goal is to get to the playoffs and stay there for a long time. And eventually compete. Getting Naz Reid where you can get a player of his caliber. And then, the undrafted money and the flexibility just felt like it was something that was able to accomplish multiple goals in one transaction.”
Charlotte received a significant return in the deal, receiving Naz Reid, an unprotected 2033 first-round pick, three first-round trades and three second-round picks.
As Youngmisuk noted, Peterson wasn’t judging the team solely on its progress last season.
Charlotte needed more time to get past Miami in the Play-In tournament before being outclassed by an Orlando team that lacked key players.
Rather than viewing the tight end as proof that the Hornets have arrived, the front office saw an opportunity to reshape the system while the value of the ball was at its highest.
The Hornets are now expected to build around Brandon Miller, Kon Knueppel and Reid, while Coby White takes over the point guard duties.
READ MORE: Draymond Green Unveils Bld LeBron James Golden State Pitch
